Kujawiak

Info History Operational History Technical Data HMS Oakley was launched on 30.X.1940, and loaned to Polish Navy on 30.V.1941 and sunk on 16.VI.1942 near Malta. The commander was lt. cmdr. Ludwik Lichodziejski. After completion Kujawiak was moved to Scapa Flow where during the voyage was attacked by enemy plane. Explosion of ammunition killed one sailor. During training she was escorting British aircraft carrier Victorious and battleship Nelson. Kujawiak in the Mediterranean After exercise Kujawiak sailed to Portsmouth where she was attached to 15 Destroyer Flotilla. During 5 month of service in English Channel she fought with enemy only two times. On 12.VIII.1941 was fighting with German aircraft, in defence of convoy WP.34 and on 30.X.1941 with British Hunt escort destroyer - Atherstone was searching for German U-boat. Then in December 1941 she took part in action against Lofoten (Operation "Anklet"). The purpose of the operation was to destroy German base and installations on the Lofoten Islands. After successfully beginning and destroying German base Allied ships were forced, by German Luftwaffe, to leave Lofoten, and on 1.I.1942 ships returned to the Scapa Flow. From January to March 1942 Kujawiak was escorting and patrolling in area of English Channel. On 3.II.1942 again with Atherstone engaged two German transport ships and escort ship. All enemy ships were at least damaged while both ships - ex Dutch Hermann (174 GRT) and Schleswig-Holstein (174 GRT) were sunk. On 14.III.1942 in defence of convoy PW.125 Kujawiak shot down one enemy bomber and damaged another. After short renovation in end of the March, Polish Hunt was appointed as escort of convoy WS.19S which was part of Operation "Harpoon" (supply for Malta). On 3.VI.1942 Kujawiak left for the last time England, and on 9.VI.1942 arrived to Gibraltar. During transition to Malta convoy was attacked by enemy aircraft (one Ju 88 was shot down by Kujawiak, second at all), and by Italian Navy. In this fight small escort consisting of old C class cruiser Cairo and 9 destroyers (7 Hunt's and 2 M class) stopped Italian division of heavy cruisers!!!. None of six transport ships was sunk or even damaged!!. On 15.VI.1942 all ships arrived at Malta. On the same day Badsworth enter a mine, Kujawiak going to rescue the British, herself struck a mine and sunk in position 35° 53N 14°38E, with a lost of 12 hands.